Celebrating Child Care Providers

05/11/2007

Celebrating Child Care Providers

It is not true that nice guys finish last. Nice guys are winners before the game ever starts.
Addison Walker

Today is the 12th annual Provider Appreciation Day in the USA, celebrating the hard work and dedication of child care providers.

According to the sponsors of the day, the National Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies (NACCRRA) and the National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC), there are an estimated 2.3 million child care providers working in child care centers, family child care homes, and other care settings in the United States. These individuals are responsible for the health, safety, and well-being of nearly 12 million children under age 5 who are in child care every week. Yet their efforts — in one of the most underpaid professions in the country — often go unrecognized.

“By applauding the dedication of child care providers on May 11, we remind our communities of the importance of high-quality child care, and let providers everywhere know that we recognize and value their important work,” says Linda K. Smith, NACCRRA's Executive Director. “It is important that the care a child receives during the first five years of life be of high-quality because 90 percent of brain development occurs during those years.”

NACCRRA and NAFCC are encouraging state and local governments, Child Care Resource & Referral agencies, parents, and others to honor their child care providers on May 11 by hosting luncheons, parades, dedication ceremonies, and other forms of recognition. In recent years, local governments across the United States have joined many Governors in proclaiming this day of recognition. Around the globe, Department of Defense installations celebrate Provider Appreciation Day by recognizing those who care for the children of military parents living both at home and abroad. To learn more about Provider Appreciation Day and how you can get involved, visit www.providerappreciation.org or call (888) 334-7781.

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